Annual Report 2020 of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna by Vetmeduni

Annual Report 2020 University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna

University

Teaching

Research

Healing

Statements: Petra Winter, Johannes Khinast

Statements: Jürgen Rehage, Sabine Hammer, Anja Joachim

Statements: Otto Doblhoff-Dier, Manuela Raith

Training Programmes

Mission Statement 6

Sites of Vetmeduni Vienna 8

News Flashes University 2020

33 19

Students 14

News Flashes Teaching 2020

Research

University Clinics

Current Research Projects

News Flashes Healing 2020

26 16

Graduates

News Flashes Research 2020

Members of the University

Science Communication

New Professorships

Research Projects at a Glance

Photos: (Cover) Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni Vienna, (Hen) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna

[Cover] Digital sensors in the halters and a special app are used to trace the horses' activities such as eating, resting, running or rolling.

University

Poultry health is a key factor in the production of sustainable and safe food of animal origin.

University

Vetmeduni 2020

University

Vetmeduni 2020

Johannes Khinast Chairman of the University Council

The year 2020 was very demanding for all of us. It was all the more impressive how our #TeamVetmeduni showed that even in difficult times we can achieve more by working together. Owing to this team spirit and mutual support we were able not only to meet the pandemicrelated challenges of the new normal in teaching, research and patient care but also to attain strategically important goals and initiate new projects in this exceptional year. The present annual report shows our work done across all university areas. No matter how diverse they may be it strikes me as clear that 2020 was also the year of joint efforts, of acting in concert and thus achieving more – a huge thanks to the #TeamVetmeduni and to all who supported our university in this.

Vetmeduni Vienna is looking back on an unusual and challenging year. The Corona pandemic caused profound and lasting changes in much of university life that had been previously taken for granted. This applies not only but in particular to teaching, where Corona-related restrictions engendered an even faster progression of digitalisation and where both teachers and students faced major challenges. Nevertheless an excellent and professional cooperation between Rectorate, researchers, teachers and students enabled Vetmeduni Vienna to create a university environment with teaching and research at the highest international level in the face of adversity as is evidenced by persistently top results in international rankings.

Photos: (1) Christian Steinbrenner/Vetmeduni Vienna, (2) Sissi Furgler

Petra Winter Rector

University

Vetmeduni 2020

Unflappable, committed and innovative: The University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, stands for responsible action to ensure the health of humans, animals and the environment.

University

Vetmeduni 2020

4 5 7 6

Vetmeduni Vienna Campus, Floridsdorf, Vienna 2

Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology/Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Ottakring, Vienna

VetFarm Kremesberg estate, Pottenstein, Lower Austria • Rehgras estate, Furth/Triesting, Lower Austria • Haidlhof estate, Bad Vöslau, Lower Austria • Medau estate, Berndorf, Lower Austria

Reproduction Center Wieselburg, Wieselburg, Lower Austria 7

Interuniversity Department for Agrobiotechnology, IFA Tulln, together with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna and the Vienna University of Technology

Wolf Science Center (WSC), Ernstbrunn, Lower Austria 5

Satellite of the Austrian Ornithological Centre (AOC), Seebarn/Grafenwörth, Lower Austria

Satellite Office: Ruminants in the Alpine Region, Innsbruck, Tyrol

Photos: (1) Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni Vienna, (2,5,6) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna, (3) Manfred Kisling/Vetmeduni Vienna, (4) Rooobert Bayer/WSC/Vetmeduni Vienna, (7) BOKU Medienstelle, (8) Felizitas Theimer/Vetmeduni Vienna

Sites of Vetmeduni Vienna

University

EMAS Certification Vetmeduni Vienna was again recertified by EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme). In addition, the university's Environmental Declaration won the award for 'Best Environmental Declaration 2020' by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK).

Start of the Sustainability Campaign At the beginning of 2020 the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, launched a new initiative under the tenet of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN). Three of the so-called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) determine the university's communication focus each for one year at a time.

2020 2021 2022

Career Development for Scientists As from 2019, the VEmpowerment initiative implemented two support programmes for young female scientists in 2020: VetWoman and VetTalents, which support career paths and strategic career planning through courses, coaching formats, exchange and networking with role models.

[Career ladder]: The success of VetWoman (programme launched in February 2020) encouraged the university to set up the VetTalents programme in autumn 2020.

VetmedRegio Regionalisation Initiative With targeted measures in Austria's federal states, Vetmeduni Vienna raises awareness for the importance of veterinary medicine in society. Moreover, it helps improve veterinary care in rural regions – in particular in the field of livestock farming. VetmedRegio assists and promotes the return of excellently trained alumni to their home regions.

For more information go to: www.vetmeduni.ac.at/ universitaet/sustainabledevelopment-goals

[Tyrol Rotation]: Students who choose the specialisation track 'ruminant medicine' spend part of their training at the satellite facility in Innsbruck/Tyrol. The varied practical programme focuses on the particularities of Alpine livestock farming. Of special importance is their contact with veterinarians practising in the area.

Illustration: Matthias Moser/Vetmeduni Vienna, Photo: Lorenz Khol/Vetmeduni Vienna

Breadth and Depth: Together with UniNetZ (cooperation network of 17 universities), Vetmeduni Vienna is working on an options paper for Austria and makes tangible contributions in research, teaching and public relations. In so doing, the university displays its professional expertise which ranges from zoonoses, animal health, biodiversity and food safety to human-animal relations.

Vetmeduni 2020

University

Vetmeduni 2020

Members of the University STUDENTS

ACADEMIC STAFF 1,910 women

513 women

534 men

255 men

2,444 total

768 total

PROFESSORS

ADMINISTRATIVE & SUPPORT STAFF

STAFF

1,498

Since one person is counted as belonging both to the general (administrative & support) and the academic staff, we have an instance of double counting which is adjusted for in the total number.

474 women

12 women

217 men

28 men

691 total

40 total

STUDENTS

2,444

Total (degree and non-degree students)

ANIMAL PATIENTS

40,979

Total (figures do not include poultry and visits for the purpose of herd health management)

University

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: FULL EAEVE ACCREDITATION Vetmeduni Vienna is one of Europe's leading academic education and research establishments of veterinary medicine that is evaluated by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Study (EAEVE). In June 2020 Vetmeduni Vienna was awarded by the EAEVE Decision Board (ECOVE) the full EAEVE accreditation for another seven years without any major or minor deficiencies being noted in the EAEVE report.

With place 7 Vetmeduni Vienna is again among the top ten in the field of Life Sciences and the related Veterinary Sciences. Since 2017, the number of subjects reviewed and evaluated by this Global Ranking of Academic Subjects in the categories of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences and Social Sciences has grown to 54, the number of universities covered worldwide to more than 4,000.

New Professorships

Michal Kyllar Histology and Morphology

Maik Dahlhoff In-Vivo and In-Vitro Models

New Associate and Assistant Professorships

Alice Auersperg Comparative Cognitive Biology

Franziska Dengler Physiology

Wilhelm Gerner Infection Immunology

Dieter Liebhart Poultry Immunology

NEWS FROM THE INSTITUTES •

The Institute of Topographic Anatomy has been merged with the Institute of Histology to form the Institute of Morphology.

• The Institute of Laboratory Animal Science has been renamed the Institute of In-Vivo and In-Vitro Models.

Portraits of the new professors in VETMED Magazine: www.vetmeduni.ac.at/vetmedmagazin

Photos: (Calf) Stephanie Scholz/Vetmeduni Vienna, (1,2,4,6) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna, (3) Daniel Nowotny, (5) Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni Vienna

PLACE 7 IN THE GLOBAL RANKING OF ACADEMIC SUBJECTS

Vetmeduni 2020

Teaching

In the Skills Lab VetSim, students may practise tasks on animal models made from synthetic material and enhance their practical skills such as assisting a cow to give birth.

Teaching

Vetmeduni 2020

Teaching

Vetmeduni 2020

Sabine Hammer und Anja Joachim Chairwoman and Deputy Chairwoman of the Senate of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna

It is an honour for me to deliver greetings in this report. First and foremost, I thank my predecessor Sibylle Kneissl for her work as the organisation of teaching was an enormous challenge in 2020. I see my future task as a unique chance to further develop the study and clinical programmes for the well-being and benefit of the next generation. I want to increasingly encourage students into the fields of livestock medicine and veterinary public health. The new Small Animals Clinic is the best possible answer to the requirements of cutting-edge medicine and represents an attractive teaching hospital for acquiring clinical skills. I wish to express my thanks for the warm welcome and look forward to the exciting tasks ahead and a mutually sincere collaboration.

This pandemic faced us with previously unknown and unforeseeable challenges. Thanks to the rapid implementation and intensive use of online platforms we were able to maintain communication and teaching, while all of us soon learned to appreciate the outstanding commitment of our technical teams. The team spirit was palpable – even after long hours in front of the screen there still was room for mutual impressions, laughter and chats. These past months showed us clearly that, although we cannot foretell the future, we may hope that the common experience will keep us together in the 'normal' we are so much longing for.

Photos: (1) Christian Steinbrenner/Vetmeduni Vienna, (2,3) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna

Jürgen Rehage Vice-Rector for Study Affairs and Clinical Veterinary Medicine

Teaching

Vetmeduni 2020

Students MATRICULATED STUDENTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Austria 1,515 (1,215 women, 300 men) EU 718 (558 women, 160 men) non-EU 113 (67 women, 46 men)

APPLICANTS/ADMISSIONS 2020 (FOR THE 2020/21 ACADEMIC YEAR)

WOMEN

APPLICANTS MEN TOTAL

1,164

202

1,366

180

218

138

174

Bachelor's Programme in Equine Sciences

Interdisciplinary Master's Programme in Human-Animal Interactions

Master's Programme in Comparative Biomedicine

1,397

247

1,644

280

337

Diploma Programme in Veterinary Medicine Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine and Biotechnology

Total

No figures are available for the Master's Programmes in Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management as well as Evolutionary Systems Biology since admission to these programmes is not managed by Vemeduni Vienna.

WOMEN

ADMISSIONS MEN TOTAL

Teaching

Education Awards The sixth Teaching Vets Symposium 'Students in Focus' took place on 29 Oct 2020. The keynote speakers Claude Müller and Barbara Schober talked about the topics of 'Flexible study – desired and how is it done?' and 'Self-regulated learning as a key skill and goal of university teaching'. The event was concluded with a ceremony in which awards were presented in the categories of Teacher, Student and Instructor of the Year as well as the Vetucation® Award, the TOP-CASUS®-Case and the Student Award of the Students' Union.

Vetmeduni 2020

VetSim: Patients Made of Plastic In the specially equipped practice rooms of the Skills Lab VetSim training centre, students can practise numerous tasks of everyday clinical life on animal models made of plastic. In order to widen the range of animal models, new dummies were purchased in 2020 for such areas as equine surgery or dog dental treatment.

For all award winners see: www.vetmeduni.ac.at/de/studium/ allgemeines/qualitaet/teachingvets/

A Vet Surgery of One’s Own: Veterinary Medicine and Economics In cooperation with the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vetmeduni Vienna encourages the acquisition of basic knowledge in managing a surgery and counselling third parties (such as farmers) with its compulsory course 'Economics of Veterinary Medicine – A Surgery of One's Own' and the elective 'Applied Entrepreneurship for Vets'. In 2020 podcasts were added to these courses.

[award-winning]: The 'plastic patients' of VetSim were voted Austria's picture of the year at the PR Picture Award 2020 by a jury of news agencies composed of APA, dpa subsidiary news aktuell and news aktuell Switzerland and ranked second in the Social Media category.

Fresh Impetus for Teaching

• 'VEthics E-Portfolio – an online ethics course for veterinarians'

#hvuformentalhealth

Hilfe und Beratung für deine psychische Gesundheit #mentalhealth

Initial psychological care service: In order to support psychological health, the university has introduced a psychological counselling service in association with the Students' Union of Vetmeduni Vienna (HVU). An info folder was prepared under the motto #hvuformentalhealth. It is available at the HVU office and has been posted to students.

• 'Best practice examples: cooperation in specialisation tracks (livestock)' • 'Digital animal monitoring' Videos of all lectures can be watched online: http://vetmediathek-gallery. vetmeduni.ac.at/impulsfruehstueck

Photos: (1) Stephanie Scholz/Vetmeduni Vienna, Illustrations: Matthias Moser/Vetmeduni Vienna

The monthly 'kick-start breakfast' event offers contributions by experts on pedagogics and didactics and facilitates discussion. The 2020 topics included:

Virtual Outpatient Clinic: Learning from Cases Students in semester 7 and 8 are given the opportunity to get involved in new virtual patient cases within the Clinical Demonstrations Class. It is important for them to keep an eye on every detail of the disease which may lead to the animal patient's successful treatment. Mentors assist the students in the preparation of these case studies, which are made available to lower-semester students.

Teaching

Vetmeduni 2020

Courses of Study Diploma Degree Programme

Veterinary Medicine Bachelor's Programmes

Biomedicine and Biotechnology Equine Science¹ Master's Programmes

Interactive Learning Tool 'Poll Everywhere' In 2020 'Poll Everywhere', a state-of-the art audience response tool for classes with examinations, was introduced as a pilot project and rolled out for students of undergraduate studies. Poll Everywhere is used by teachers to ask students live in the lecture hall or in distance learning for their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and/or to interact with them. Students may use the system on their PC/ laptop, tablet or smartphone. Since its introduction in the winter semester, teachers have asked more than 1,500 questions and received more than 100,000 answers in total.

Interdisciplinary Master in Human-Animal Interactions Evolutionary Systems Biology² Comparative Biomedicine – Infection Biomedicine and Tumour Signalling Pathways Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management¹ Doctoral Programme

Veterinary Medicine PhD Programme ¹In cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna ²In cooperation with the University of Vienna

VetDidactics: 'Students in Focus' Vetmeduni Vienna seeks to expand the skills of its teachers for the purpose of developing the quality of higher education didactics, the objective being to establish a certification programme which highlights the importance and professionalisation of teaching. Participants are assisted in enhancing the skills necessary to organise their central fields of activity and become multipliers of the 'students in focus' teaching culture.

Digitalisation of Teaching Due to the Corona crisis, the curricula of Vetmeduni Vienna had to be shifted from a mix of presentations in lecture halls, practical training in university clinics, instruction in small groups and supplementary online teaching to a virtual-only teaching format (distance learning). • Teachers, students and the E-Learning and New Media Team reported in VETMED Magazine 02/2020 on how they dealt with the new situation: www.vetmeduni.ac.at/ vetmedmagazin

Teaching

Vetmeduni 2020

Graduates 2019/20

Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine and Biotechnology

WOMEN

MEN

TOTAL

0.56

0.28

0.84

Master's Programme in Comparative Biomedicine

Master's Programme in Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management²

1.5

0.7

2.2

Interdisciplinary Master's Programme in Human-Animal Interactions

10.05

154

188

Doctoral Programme

PhD Studies

242.11

57.98

300.09

Master's Programme in Evolutionary Systems Biology¹ Master's Programme in Biomedicine and Biotechnology

Bachelor's Programme in Equine Sciences³ Diploma Programme in Veterinary Medicine

total

¹Master's Programme in Evolutionary Systems Biology 0.28 Vetmeduni Vienna; 0.72 University of Vienna ²Master's Programme in Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management 0.1 Vetmeduni Vienna; 0.9 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) ³Bachelor's Programme in Equine Sciences 0.67 Vetmeduni Vienna; 0.33 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)

Photo: (Dog) Stephanie Scholz/Vetmeduni Vienna

Note: In the case of cooperation partners, graduates are counted according to the allocation formula

Research

In laser physiotherapy, very short high-energy pulses are directed at the tissue. During this procedure both animals and humans wear protective goggles.

Research

Vetmeduni 2020

Research

Vetmeduni 2020

Otto Doblhoff-Dier Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations

Manuela Raith Vice-Rector for Resources and Digitalisation

The past months were a stark reminder of the importance of science and research for our health and society. Our scientists were able to help address the pandemic in manifold ways: Vetmeduni Vienna could ensure knowledge transfer at many levels by carrying out PCR tests, co-developing a rapid antibody test, counselling stakeholders and informing the interested public. However, the pandemic thwarted many of the university's plans for international activities. With a view to the future, many new projects were submitted instead. At this point I would like to thank all employees of Vetmeduni Vienna for their extraordinary commitment.

In the year under report, our staff had to adapt to an entirely new work situation within a very short period of time. I wish to thank all of them for their exemplary response and hard work to find solutions. I am pleased to report that the university achieved all the indicators necessary for ensuring finance and that we were able to attract additional funds from the Austrian Ministry of Science for future investments in our research and clinical infrastructure. The construction of the new Small Animals Clinic went ahead as planned. Preparations for the new processes in future day-to-day clinical work were up to speed as well. Lastly, it must be mentioned that we received the Environmental Management Award 2020 in the category of Best Environmental Declaration. Photos: Christian Steinbrenner/Vetmeduni Vienna

Research

Vetmeduni 2020

Research

808

1,002

ACADEMIC STAFF TOTAL

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

845

808

professors 2020 12 women

787 712

28 men

first editions of scientiﬁc textbooks

first publications in SSCI, SCI or A&HCI journals

40 total academic staff 2020 513 women 2020

first publications in other scientiﬁc professional journals

255 men 768 total

2018

2019

2020

other scientiﬁc publications

Note: This year the chart does not include any contributions to compilations since no real-life congresses were held due to the Corona pandemic making such figures non-representative.

Research

Continuity in research: in 2020 successful projects were prolonged, expanded or given further thought. Below please find a selection of these exciting research approaches.

CockaTools: Innovative Tool Use and Problem Solving in a Parrot Project leader: Alice Auersperg Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) Goffin cockatoos are capable of making and using tools. Our project explores the Goffin cockatoos' use of tools from various angles. We plan to shed light on the birds' natural food acquisition strategies. For this purpose we will conduct research in the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia and among an imported population in Singapore.

Finally, the experts seek to find out whether Goffins make tools of different materials for special functions and can plan the use of tool in an anticipatory manner.

Austrian Science Fund Postdoc Programme (FWFZukunftskolleg): Vetmeduni Vienna Establishes Research Platform Project leader: Dagmar Gotthardt Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) 'PeptAIDes' is one of the newly approved postdoc programmes where Dagmar Gotthardt of the Institute of Pharmacology carries out research concerning the development of peptide therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in cooperation with Roland Hellinger and Tim Hendrikx (MedUni Vienna) as well as Eva ZangerlPlessl and Kirtikumar Jadhav (University of Vienna). Scientists believe there is great potential for amino acid compounds (peptides) as a starting point for the development of new therapeutic approaches in medication. Peptides show great affinity to their target receptors and promise improved selectivity and a low risk of toxicity. However, many of these active substances never reach patients since it is almost impossible for individual laboratories or researcher to accompany a peptide along all phases of the multidisciplinary development of medicinal agents. The research platform 'PeptAIDes' includes all the necessary research disciplines and focuses on the development and testing of new therapeutics to treat multiple sclerosis, intestinal diseases and disorders of fat metabolism.

Photos: (1) Rooobert Bayer/Vetmeduni Vienna, (2,4) Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni Vienna, (3,5) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna

Moreover, the cognitive development of young cockatoos will be examined in greater detail and comparisons made with primates. In the so-called Loro Park in Tenerife, Spain, the animals will be compared in a battery of tests with their closest relatives (Corella cockatoos) to determine whether the Goffin's skills are unique. Another focus will be on exploring the perceptual and cognitive processes of the birds. To this end, researchers measure the visual field of the animals and test how they handle tools in a targeted manner.

Vetmeduni 2020

Three-Dimensional Holo'omic Landscapes to Unveil Host-Microbiota Interactions Impacting Animal Production Project leader: Michael Hess Funding agency: EU (Commission of the European Union) New approaches are required to better understand the biomolecular correlations of the interaction between animals and fodder and the microorganisms associated with them. The omics approach plays a key role in this context, its basis being information derived from conventional DNA/RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. These data, however, do not provide any information on how the various biological elements are spatially distributed in the intestines. Consequently, many interactions between microorganisms, feed and animals remain hidden. The research projects proposes to make much greater use of the potential of the omics approach: a 3D presentation of biomolecules, cells and tissue forms the basis for a better understanding of biomolecular interactions. The 3D omics project is intended to develop, optimise and implement this technology for the first time under experimental conditions. In concrete terms, this involves 3 D omics landscapes which present the ecosystems in the intestines of poultry and pigs to an unprecedented degree of precision. In the future, this technology will influence the breeding and keeping of animals with a special focus on improved animal health and optimised animal welfare.

Research

Vetmeduni 2020

Prolongation of the SFB Competence Centre for Feed 'Monarchies and Hierarchies and Food Quality, Safety and in Shaping Chromatin Innovation (FFoQSI) Landscapes' Project leader: Martin Wagner Project leader: Mathias Müller Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) This special research area (SFB) coordinated by Vetmeduni Vienna unites the forces of seven internationally leading groups of the Vienna Life Science Region with interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of (epi)genetics, infectious and cancer diseases, pharmacology as well as bioinformatics to pursue the vision of further developing comparative medicine and precision medicine. The dynamic 3 D structure of the chromatin – also called 'landscape' – determines gene regulation and thus cell functions. JAKs (Janus kinases) and STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are key molecules for signal transmission enabling cellular specialisation and communication. The SFB consortium describes the chromatin dynamics and their dependence on JAKs and STATs in healthy and diseased tissue. The comparative understanding of chromatin modifications in infectious, inflammatory or cancerous diseases in humans and in animal disease models enables researchers to test new therapeutic concepts.

Funding agency: Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

Research along the production chain is complex: changing climate conditions in production, global raw material cycles, largely sustainable modes of production, innovative products, eating habits – all this embedded in an economic environment characterised by digitalisation and efficiency enhancement. This creates challenges for production methods, distribution logistics, traceability, product safety as well as for understanding interdependencies and our purchasing decisions which drive everything. The development of quality and safety concepts and technological innovations in conjunction with sustainability considerations are the key topics of the FFoQSI centre, which now enters the second period of funding. Under the FFoQSI roof, researchers of leading universities (Vetmeduni Vienna, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna), universities of applied sciences (FH OÖ Wels, FH Campus Vienna), the Austrian Institute of Technology and the RECENDT research centre collaborate in association with 45 partners of the feed and food industry. More than 60 experts address issues around a nationally relevant value chain ranging from plant growing to the processing of feed and food.

Research

Multi-faceted research – the great variety of scientific endeavours at Vetmeduni Vienna is illustrated by the following examples of current research projects newly begun in 2020.

Out of Memory: What do Hibernators Remember? Project leader: Claudia Bieber Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

What is the impact of the various states of hibernation on the memory and cognition functions of these animals? Must hibernators rediscover and relearn their environment every year? Do they recognise relatives and members of their group? We intend to examine these contexts in different experiments over a period of four years. For our study we have chosen the edible dormouse (Glis glis). With hibernation lasting up to eleven months, edible dormice hold the world record in naturally occurring hibernation cycles. Consequently, the negative effects of hibernation on memory should become particularly obvious in edible dormice.

Fundamentals for Creating an Innovative Pan-H3N8 Equine Influenza Vaccine Project leader: Sabine Brandt (pictured third from left) Funding agency: Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) Equine influenza (EI) is one of the respiratory diseases in horses that is of utmost importance for veterinary medicine. Equine influenza is caused by an infection with influenza viruses – equine influenza A viruses (EIV-A) – and presents not only a major health risk but also an economic problem with potentially devastating effects on the horse industry. When for instance Australia was hit by a serious epidemic of equine influenza in 2007, roughly 76,000 horses fell ill entailing costs that ran into the billions. In order to prevent such epidemics, horses participating in sports events must be vaccinated against equine influenza in compliance with the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), with the vaccination having been carried out no more than six months previously. However, the vaccines currently available for protecting from infections with the influenza virus are not sufficiently effective. As in human influenza shots, this is due to the ongoing genetic changes of influenza viruses. As a result, disease outbreaks are reported for regularly vaccinated horses as well. The project aims to develop an innovative intranasal vaccine which will be much more effective than the vaccines currently in use and will protect from equine influenza for a longer period of time. This project is made possible by the FFG's Bridge Programme.

Photos: (1,2) Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni Vienna, (3,4) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna, (5) Martina Russignan

Hibernation is an extreme form of adaptation adopted by some mammals to survive cold and low-food winters or other adverse environmental conditions. During the so-called 'torpor' state of hibernation, the animals' metabolism – along with heart rate and breathing – is extremely reduced, causing the body temperature to drop down to ambient temperatures or even to zero degrees centigrade. During this period, the brain shows virtually no activity and there is little blood flow to the brain. States of torpor may cover several days or weeks and are interrupted by brief warm-up spells ('arousals') which last only a few hours.

Vetmeduni 2020

Hepatic Tolerance in Chronically EqHV Infected Horses Project leader: Jessika-M. Cavalleri Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and the German Research Funding Organisation (DFG)

Research

Exploring and Exploiting Cellular Heterogeneity and Epigenetic Regulation for the Interception of Myeloid Diseases

Project leader: Florian Grebien Funding agency: EU (Commission The equine hepacivirus (EqHV) represents of the European Union) the closest animal hepacivirus (HV) The team around Florian Grebien is part homologue to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) of a top-level international research and infecting humans. Like HCV in humans, training project for PhD candidates. The EqHV in equids may cause acute and Innovative Training Networks (ITNs) chronic infections. Viremia (concentration are funded by the EU within the Marie of viruses in the blood) is likely to persist for months or – in individual cases – even Skłodowska Curie programme. These research and training networks aim years. Our knowledge about the specific to train a new generation of creative, mechanisms of EqHv pathogenesis has entrepreneurially thinking and innovative so far been very limited, with no specific junior researchers. 15 young scientists will preventive or therapeutic approaches in receive comprehensive training at various place. Thus, the development of a novel research institutions in Europe to prepare general concept for an innovative and them for the challenges of a career in rational design of vaccines and therabiomedical research and the biomedical peutic measures is urgently needed. industry. Modern research, complementary training and intensive networking are the The project is intended to examine the most important pillars of the programme. immunological effects of therapeutic The overarching research objective of vaccination against an EqHV infection the INTERCEPT-MDS network is to in chronically infected horses. Its results better understand misdirected regulatory will help improve our knowledge about mechanisms and cellular heterogeneity in the specific immune response to a hepadiseases of the immune system so as to civirus infection. For this purpose we be able to develop new treatment options plan to develop a number of recombinant for autoimmune diseases or cancer. MVA viruses which express various antiUsing most advanced high-throughput gens of EqHV and to examine whether methods such as single-cell analyses vaccination induces a specific cellular of tumour tissue, the researchers hope immune response and reduces the viral to contribute to the concept of 'disease load in chronically EqHV infected horses. interception': ideally, before it can fully develop a disease is identified and treated by removing altered cells.

Vetmeduni 2020

Urbanisation of a Top Predator: Are Wolves and Humans Adapting to Life Together? Project leader: Sarah Marshall Funding agency: Vienna Science, Research and Technology Fund (WWTF) Urbanisation dramatically changes the habitats of animals and endangers the survival of many species. However, wolves in Italy have (unexpectedly) adapted to highly anthropic environments resulting in increased attacks on pets in private gardens and sightings in towns. An interdisciplinary research team of Vetmeduni Vienna has launched a research project in cooperation with the University of Sassari (Italy) to explore in greater detail the effect of urbanisation on the habits of wolves. The focus will be on analysing the wolves' feeding habits, their fear, risk-taking and aggressive behaviours, as well as their endocrinological and genetic profile. In addition, researchers want to test whether urban wolves show a 'bolder' and 'less shy' temperament than wolves living in more remote areas. The results of this research project are designed to help understand how a more anthropogenic environment could have shaped dogs during domestication.

Research

Fond of Each Other: Positive Human-Animal Interactions Project leader: Jean-Loup Rault Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

Project leader: Lukas Schwarz Funding agency: Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

Self-Regulated Learning in Medical Education Project leader: Evelyn Steinberg Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

Learning is a complex process consisting of cognitive, metacognitive, motivational and emotional aspects. The project aims to develop an oral formu- In self-regulated learning students set lation for therapeutic antibodies to treat gut themselves goals and actively pursue diseases locally in swine. Administration in them. This process has already been the form of tablets would be desirable both well researched when it comes to for the benefit of the patients and from the learning the theoretical background. viewpoint of health systems. According to current state of the art evidence any Our research project intends to provide the systemic administration of therapeutic scientific basis for self-regulated learning antibodies after oral ingestion via the in the clinical practical setting. We will gastrointestinal tract in the form of simple develop both a model for self-regulated tablets or capsules is deemed impossible. learning in this real-life setting and a new instrument of data collection for a quanThus it is not the aim of the project to titative diary study. The longitudinal data have the orally administered antibodies will be analysed as to whether self-reguenter the bloodstream. However, there are lated learning in a clinical and practical some indications where a local absorption environment is more of (a) a stable, (b) a of therapeutic antibodies in the intestinal situational or (c) a developmental nature. cells is required and where it would make sense to deliver the antibodies Students are faced with special chalto their destination locally via tablets. lenges primarily during transition from Such indications would primarily include an academic to a clinical and practical inflammatory bowel diseases. Provided setting. The results will indicate whether that the therapeutic antibodies can, after interventions should focus more (a) on oral administration, be protected from the different types of learners, (b) on degradation by intestinal enzymes they the situational factors or (c) on training may exert a direct, local effect in the targeted at the specific stages of tranintestinal cells. Infliximab is to be applied sition. This project is intended to help orally in the swine model and tested better understand the students' learning for its detection in defecated faeces. in a clinical and practical setting.

Photos: (1,5) Michael Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna, (2,3,4) Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni Vienna

Positive social interactions have received little scientific interest compared to aggression and other socio-negative patterns of behaviour. Positive social interactions can improve longevity, health and well-being. Nevertheless, the biological mechanisms of these effects remain surprisingly little known. This project investigates how positive human-animal interactions benefit animal welfare. For this purpose we will, firstly, examine the types of behaviour that characterise positive interactions, secondly, identify the role of different neurotransmitters in this context and, thirdly, explore the effects of long-term positive interactions on the brain and the immune system of animals. The studies will be conducted with farm pigs. These domesticated animals are highly social and distinctly motivated to interact with humans. The project pursues a multidisciplinary approach combining behavioural biology, physiology, proteomics, neuroscience and psychoneuroimmunology.

Local Release of an anti-TNF-alpha Antibody in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Swine

Vetmeduni 2020

VETMEDUNI VIENNA CONDUCTS RESEARCH TO OVERCOME THE COVID-19 CRISIS

TEST CAPACITIES

STAT1 in Controlling Extramedullary Haematopoiesis (EMH) During Infectious Diseases Project leader: Birgit Strobl Co-author: Tanja Bulat Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) For a successful immune response to infections, a great number of blood cells are essential. Normally, the production of blood cells (haematopoiesis) in adults occurs in the bone marrow (medullary haematopoiesis). If blood formation is insufficient or disturbed in the bone marrow, other organs – mostly the spleen or liver – can take over (extramedullary haematopoiesis or EMH). Although EMH is an important compensatory mechanism, the signals which are triggered by EMH and which regulate the production of specific types of blood cells are largely unknown. In the course of our work on the STAT1 transcription factor in the immune response to infections with herpes viruses (genus cytomegalovirus) in the mouse model, we were able to demonstrate that STAT1-dependent signals in macrophages promote the production of blood platelets and red blood cells in the spleen and thus ensure regeneration of both cell types in the blood. The project intends to clarify the molecular and cellular interrelations that control EMH in the spleens by using 'omics' and imaging approaches. In further translational research, our findings could contribute to the development of stem cell therapies.

Further Insights into the Pathogenesis of Avian Malaria Project leader: Herbert Weissenböck Funding agency: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) There is growing evidence that avian haemosporidian parasites (genera of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) are not just harmless commensals but are frequently responsible for fatal infections in birds. Pathogenicity is primarily determined by the tissue stages of these parasites, which develop in different cell types and may result in a blockage of blood vessels and in tissue damage. Currently, very little is known about the long-term persistence of these infections, the existence of dormant parasite stages as well as the cell types that are targets of tissue merogony. In cooperation with partners of the Nature Research Centre Vilnius (Lithuania), the study will use a highly sensitive in situ hybridisation procedure to analyse whether and in which tissues dormant parasite stages are detectable that could cause the disease to resurge after a period of latency. The proliferation of haemosporidian tissue stages appears to be limited to a few specialised host cell types which will be identified by double labelling approaches with antibodies for certain cell markers and molecular probes for haemosporidians. The results of these studies will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of these infections that are so prevalent among wild birds.

Development, implementation and validation of PCR analytics by the Institute of Virology and the University Clinic for Poultry and Fish. This enabled the university to offer tests and their analysis to the campus and to the public.

WHO WAS INFECTED AND IS NOW IMMUNE? A team of experts from three local universities – BOKU, Vetmeduni Vienna and MedUni Vienna – developed the first quantitative SARS CoV 2 antibody test based on the ELISA test method. In cooperation with the industrial partner Technoclone, the antibody test could be rapidly commercialised.

COVID-19 AND BIG DATA Within a research project on nonpharmaceutical interventions of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, urgently needed data on the response of governments to the COVID-19 pandemic were collected.

Research

Tips for Pets The successfully established infographic series 'Tips for Pets' (Tipps fürs Tier), where complex contents from veterinary practice are presented by graphic design, was continued last year. The graphics were shared several times on social media, via the press and research networks helping to spread the information rapidly. Important topics presented in these infographics included 'How to recognise emergencies in dogs and cats', 'Cars: life-threatening heat traps', 'Children and dogs – safe interaction tips', 'Stay healthy over the holidays – identify and prevent hazards during the Christmas season' or 'Vaccinate dogs – no obligation but urgently recommended!'.

Awards Researchers, teachers and students received these awards in 2020.

Events Due to safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of events were conducted online, others were postponed. Detailed information on the 2020 events are available (in German) on the website of Vetmeduni Vienna in the 'Events' section. All events: www.vetmeduni.ac.at/ veranstaltungen

•

In 2020, the Vetmed Children's University went online. With online reports being made available in compliance with COVID-19 measures. Staff members of Vetmeduni Vienna prepared a total of 40 contributions for an exciting science programme throughout the summer: Videos of all lectures at: www.kinderuni.online/ bereich/vetmed

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The 4th CEPI Conference on Poultry Nutrition and Poultry Health took place on 29 Oct 2020 organised jointly by the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, and the Szent István University.

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On 31 Jan 2020 the 10th Kremesberg Conference was held at VetFarm focusing on the topic of 'digitalisation in livestock practice'. Alongside in-person participation the conference enabled online participation via livestream.

VETMED Magazine for Perusal

vetmed

www.vetmeduni.ac.at/ infoservice/news/ stipendien-preise

Das Magazin der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien und der Gesellschaft der Freunde der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien

2/2020

Pandemien SCHWERPUNKT

In the Social Media It is of particular importance to Vetmeduni Vienna to edit scientific findings and practical tips from veterinary medicine in a simple, understandable and creative manner that is easy to remember. In order to reach interested people by easy and straightforward means the university uses social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. Last year an official Instagram channel joined the university's social media drive with the opportunity of interacting with younger target groups – often future or current students.

Vetmeduni 2020

Auf der Suche nach dem Ursprung AB SEITE 6

STUDIEREN

Distance-Learning während des Lockdowns AB SEITE 18

TIPPS FÜRS TIER

Erste Hilfe für Katzen AB SEITE 28

Four times a year VETMED Magazine reports on research projects, cases from practice and news from the campus. Roughly 3,800 subscribers receive the magazine by mail. In June 2020 VETMED's Special Corona Edition revolved around the 'origin of pandemics'. This edition reached 2nd place in the Silver Pen competition (2. Platz der Silbernen Feder) of the Public Relations Association Austria (PRVA).

All editions are available online at: www.vetmeduni.ac.at/ vetmedmagazin

Research

Science Communication and Public Relations

Vetmeduni 2020

Vetmeduni Vienna in the Media

Make research feel tangible – Vetmeduni Vienna relies on proactive science communication offering journalists and the interested public comprehensive information. The university provides a look behind the scenes of its teaching, research and hospital work, be it through press releases and press conferences or editing scientific contents for online media, the publication of its own magazine or the use of social media channels.

Forschung spezial

22 | MITTWOCH, 17. JUNI 2020

DER STANDARD

Forscher fahnden nach Ursachen für Vogelsterben Bewohner von Wien, Niederösterreich und dem Burgenland sind aufgerufen, Funde toter Singvögel zu melden, um Hinweise auf die Verbreitung der Vogelmalaria zu liefern. Susanne Strnadl

Foto: Imago/Blickwinkel

ögel infizieren sich zwar nicht mit Sars-CoV-2, sie können aber einer Menge anderer Erreger zum Opfer fallen. So setzt etwa seit Anfang der 2000er-Jahre das tropische UsutuVirus den heimischen Amseln zu, der Einzeller Trichomonas gallinae verursacht seit einigen Jahren einen massiven Rückgang der Grünfinken, und das Bakterium Suttonella ornithocola raffte dieses Frühjahr in Deutschland zehntausende Blaumeisen dahin. Forscher der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien beschäftigen sich seit mehreren Jahren mit der Vogelmalaria – und bitten dabei auch um Mithilfe der Bevölkerung. Seit mehr als zehn Jahren befasst sich Herbert Weissenböck vom Institut für Pathologie der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien mit der Vogelmalaria. Wie die Malaria beim Menschen Berliner Zeitung · Nummer 31 · Donnerstag, 6. Februar 2020 wird auch diese durch sogenannte Hämosporidien verursacht. Das sind winzige Einzeller, die im Blut von Wirbeltieren parasitieren und deren bekanntester Vertreter die Gattung Plasmodium ist. So sehr der Name und der Erreger auch den Verdacht nahelegen, dass die Vogel- und die menschliche Malaria nur einen genetischen Hüpfer voneinander entfernt sein könnten, so falsch ist dieser Eindruck: „Die beiden Erreger haben sich in ihrer Stammesgeschichte schon ganz früh voneinander getrennt“, wie Weissenböck versichert, „die Vogelmalaria stellt daher für Menschen und Haustiere keinerlei Bedrohung dar, auch nicht für das heimische Nutzgeflügel.“ Hämosporidien durchlaufen einen festgelegten Wirtswechsel. Das ist auch bei der Vogelmalaria nicht anders: Beim Stich durch eine infizierte Stechmücke, die unreife Hämosporidien-Stadien in sich trägt, gelangen diese in den Vogel. In dessen Organen durchlaufen die Parasiten eine ungeschlechtliche Vermehrungsphase, an deren Ende Geschlechtstiere entstehen. Diese werden beim nächsten Stich durch eine andere

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Wissenschaft

Tausende Blaumeisen wurden im Frühjahr in Deutschland durch ein Bakterium getötet. Welchen Einfluss die Vogelmalaria beim Vogelsterben spielt, wird in Wien untersucht.

Mücke aufgenommen, in deren Darm es zur geschlechtlichen Fortpflanzung kommt, und die Produkte daraus gelangen wieder in einen Vogel. Die Krankheit verursacht bei den betroffenen Vögeln unter anderem Fieber, Abgeschlagenheit und extreme Anämie, die bis zu Koma und Tod führen kann. In der Praxis schien es jedoch lange so, als würden die meisten Vogelarten durch eine Infektion kaum beeinträchtigt.

Anpassung an Erreger „Die Idee war, dass sich die Hämosporidien und die meisten Wildvogelarten schon so lange aneinander angepasst haben, dass der Erreger mittlerweile nur noch sehr milde Auswirkungen auf seine Wirte hat“, führt Weissenböck aus. Heftige Reaktionen mit Todesraten von 50 bis 90 Prozent

kannte man vor allem von Vögeln, die im Laufe ihrer Stammesgeschichte mit dem Virus nicht oder kaum in Berührung gekommen waren. Dazu zählen vor allem Pinguine, in deren natürlichem Verbreitungsgebiet es keine Vogelmalaria gibt. Sie können heftig erkranken, wenn sie als Zootiere in wärmere Klimaregionen gebracht werden. Massiv dezimiert wurden auch die Zuckervögel auf Hawaii mit der Einführung von Stechmücken und die Einwanderung von mit der Vogelmalaria infizierten Vögeln: Ein geschätztes Drittel der 55 bekannten Zuckervogelarten auf Hawaii wurde durch die Krankheit ausgerottet – dem Rest gelang der Rückzug in Bergwälder, in denen es für die Stechmücken bisher zu kühl war. Wie Weissenböck und seine Mitarbeiter in den vergangenen

Jahren zeigen konnten, ist jedoch auch die heimische Vogelwelt nicht so „immun“ gegen die Vogelmalaria wie bisher angenommen. In den 2000er-Jahren untersuchte seine Gruppe das damalige Amselsterben, als dessen Hauptverursacher sich schließlich das Usutu-Virus herausstellte. Dabei stießen die Veterinärmediziner auch auf lokale Cluster von Todesfällen, die nicht von Usutu verursacht waren, sondern durch einen heftigen Befall mit Hämosporidien: In rund 15 Prozent der rund 600 untersuchten Vögel hatten sich manche Hämosporidien so stark vermehrt, dass sie massive Gewebeschäden auslösten. „Das hat in der Expertenszene für Aufregung gesorgt, weil man das bis dahin nicht so auf dem Radar hatte“, sagt Weissenböck zurückblickend.

Ein nachfolgendes Projekt, das vom Wissenschaftsfonds FWF finanziert wurde, ermöglichte ihm eine intensivere Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema, wobei er sich in erster Linie damit beschäftigte, bessere und feinere Nachweisverfahren der VogelmalariaErreger zu entwickeln. Eigentlich sollte man diese unter dem Lichtmikroskop ohne weiteres sehen können, aber vor allem in Gewebeproben kann man sie leicht mit anderen Zellstrukturen verwechseln. Weissenböck und seine Mitarbeiter haben stattdessen eine genetische Methode entwickelt, bei der der jeweilige Erreger in befallenem Gewebe mittels einer Farbreaktion sichtbar gemacht wird. Weltweit gibt es mehrere Hundert verschiedene Arten von Vogel-Hämosporidien, und „jede ist ein bisschen anders“, sagt Weissenböck. Das heißt: Erkenntnisse über einen Erreger der Vogelmalaria müssen nicht unbedingt auch auf einen anderen zutreffen.

Beteiligung gefragt In einem nächsten Schritt wollen Weissenböck und seine Mitarbeiter klären, wie sehr sich die Vogelmalaria auf andere Vogelarten als nur Amseln und Drosseln auswirkt. Um an die dafür nötigen Untersuchungsobjekte zu kommen, haben sie das CitizenScience-Projekt „Vogelmalaria“ gestartet. Dabei sind die Bewohner Wiens, Niederösterreichs und des Burgenlandes aufgefordert, tot aufgefundene Singvögel und Spechte bei der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien zu melden. Das Projektteam meldet sich bei den Findern von relevanten Vogelfunden und holen diese ab. Die daraus gewonnen Daten werden am Ende auf der Projekt-Website veröffentlicht.

p Die Beteiligung am Projekt „Vogel-

malaria“ ist per Mail unter vogelmalaria@vetmeduni.ac.at oder auf der Website möglich, wo auch alle gesuchten Vogelarten gelistet sind: https://wien.stadtwildtiere.at/ Vogelmalaria

FORSCHUNG SPEZiAL ist eine entgeltliche Einschaltung in Form einer Medienkooperation mit österreichischen Forschungsinstitutionen. Die redaktionelle Verantwortung liegt beim STANDARD.

Viele Bären werden zum Winter müde und ziehen sich zur Ruhe zurück.

IMAGO IMAGES/STRUSSFOTO

Dauerliegen ohne Muskelschwund Viele Bären halten Winterschlaf. Erstaunlich ist, wie fit sie danach sind. Erkenntnisse über ihre Körpervorgänge sollen künftigen Therapien bei Menschen dienen Von Kerstin Viering

ieser braunhaarige Patient würde wohl jedem Hausarzt die Schweißperlen auf die Stirn treiben. Denn einen ungesünderen Lebensstil kann man sich kaum vorstellen. Nicht nur, dass der Kerl sich im Herbst ein massives Übergewicht angefressen hat. Nein, er hat auch noch alle sportlichen Aktivitäten eingestellt und sich monatelang auf die faule Haut gelegt. Herz-Kreislauf-Probleme, M uskel- und Knochenschwund, Diabetes, wund gelegene Stellen – die Liste der dadurch drohenden Leiden ist lang. Doch nichts dergleichen passiert. Nach ein paar Wochen wird der Patient wieder aufstehen, sich ein wenig strecken und problemlos wieder in die Gänge kommen. Deutlich schlanker und topfit. So wie es Generationen von Braunbären vor ihm getan haben, wenn sie aus demWinterschlaf erwachten. „Der Winterschlaf der Bären ist medizinisch gesehen ein hochinteressantes Forschungsthema“, sagt Thomas Ruf, der sich an der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien mit den Geheimnissen der saisonalen Auszeit beschäftigt. Allerdings sind die zottigen Raubtiere nicht bereit, ihre Erfolgsrezepte so einfach preiszugeben. In ihrem Körper laufen sehr komplexe Vorgänge ab, die sie vor den negativen Folgen des Zunehmens und Faulenzens schützen. Erst allmählich kommen Forscher dahinter, wie das alles funktioniert.

Ein Team um Michael Gotthardt vom M ax-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) in Berlin und Douaa Mugahid von der Harvard Medical School in Boston interessiert sich etwa dafür, wie Bären ihre Muskeln unbeschadet über den Winter bringen. Bei Menschen wäre daran gar nicht zu denken. Wer schon einmal ein paar Wochen im Krankenhaus liegen oder einen Gipsverband tragen musste, weiß, dass Muskeln rasch an Masse und Volumen verlieren. Nach drei Monaten Bettruhe kann schon die Hälfte ihrer Kraft verloren sein. Das lässt sich nur durch mühsames Aufbautraining wieder rückgängig machen. Den Genen auf der Spur „Muskelschwund ist beim Menschen ein echtes Problem“, sagt Douaa Mugahid „Und wir sind noch immer nicht sonderlich gut darin, ihm vorzubeugen.“ Wie das besser geht, wollen sie und ihre Kollegen von Grizzlybären lernen. Sie haben die Aktivitäten der Muskelzellen der vierbeinigen Nordamerikaner zu verschiedenen Jahreszeiten untersucht. „Wir wollten ermitteln, welche Gene und Proteine während und außerhalb desWinterschlafs hochreguliert oder heruntergefahren werden“, sagt Michael Gotthardt. Bei diesen Untersuchungen sind die Forscher auf Proteine gestoßen, die den Aminosäurestoffwechsel stark beeinflussen. Sie sorgen dafür, dass die Muskelzellen während des Winterschlafs größere M engen be-

LANGSAMER HERZSCHLAG UND GEWICHTSVERLUST

Schläfer. Je weiter südlich ein Bär lebt, umso seltener hält er in der Regel echten Winterschlaf. Das hängt auch mit dem Nahrungsangebot zusammen. Manche Tiere im Norden Skandinaviens ziehen sich für bis zu sieben Monate in eine Höhle oder einen Bau zurück.

Reserven. Wenn sie in den Winterschlaf gehen, verzichten Braunbären nicht nur auf Futter und Wasser, sie geben auch kaum Kot oder Urin ab. Monatelang zehren sie ausschließlich von ihren Fettreserven. Die Männchen magern dabei um mindestens 20 Prozent ab.

stimmter nicht essentieller Aminosäuren enthalten. Tatsächlich können diese Substanzen im Labor auch isolierte Muskelzellen zum Wachsen bringen. Sie einfach als Pulver oder Tabletten einzunehmen, genügt allerdings nicht. In klinischen Studien konnten solche Präparate den Muskelschwund bei älteren oder bettlägerigen Patienten jedenfalls nicht verhindern. „Offenbar ist es wichtig, dass der Muskel diese Aminosäuren selbst produziert“, sagt Michael Gotthardt. „Ansonsten gelangen sie womöglich nicht an die Orte, an denen sie gebraucht werden.“ Gesucht wird also ein Wirkstoff, der in den Muskeln gezielt die Herstellung dieser wichtigen Substanzen ankurbelt. Um den zu finden, muss man aber erst einmal die genauen Produktionswege der Amino-

Energiesparen. Bei denWeibchen, die im Winter ihre Jungen zur Welt bringen, kann der Gewichtsverlust bis zu 40 Prozent betragen. Um Energie zu sparen, schlägt das Herz der schlafenden Tiere nur noch zehn- statt 75-mal pro Minute, dazwischen setzt es für bis zu 20 Sekunden ganz aus.

säuren kennen. Also haben die Forscher als Nächstes untersucht, welche Gene bei Grizzlys, bettlägerigen Menschen und Mäusen unterschiedlich reguliert werden. Einige davon hat das Team inzwischen als mögliche Kandidaten für eine Muskelschwundbehandlung im Visier. Dazu gehören Gene, die am Glucose- und Aminosäurestoffwechsel beteiligt sind, aber auch ein Gen, das mit der inneren Uhr zu tun hat. An Mäusen will das Team nun testen, was passiert, wenn man diese Gene ausschaltet. „Als Angriffspunkte für eine Therapie eignen sie sich natürlich nur dann, wenn das keine oder nur wenige Nebenwirkungen hat“, sagt Michael Gotthardt. Doch auch andere Nebenwirkungen des untätigen Herumliegens haben die Bären offenbar bestens im

Griff. So können sie ganz ohne Medikamente und Kompressionsstrümpfe verhindern, dass sich in ihren Adern tückische Blutgerinnsel bilden. Dazu verändern sie die Eigenschaften ihrer Blutplättchen, die im Winter längst nicht so klebrig sind wie zu anderen Jahreszeiten. Dadurch können sie zwar Wunden nicht mehr so rasch verschließen, aber eben auch keine Thrombosen bilden. Ein weiteres Erfolgsrezept hat mit dem Hormon Insulin zu tun, das in der Bauchspeicheldrüse gebildet wird und den Blutzuckerspiegel reguliert. Bei Menschen mit Übergewicht besteht die Gefahr, dass ihre Zellen irgendwann nicht mehr so empfindlich auf Insulin reagieren wie normalerweise. Solch eine Resistenz kann zu einer weit verbreiteten Zivilisationskrankheit führen. Wer unter Diabetes vom Typ 2 leidet, kann durch einen dauerhaft hohen Blutzuckerspiegel eine ganze Palette von gesundheitlichen Probleme bekommen. Reise zum Mars Bären dagegen haben offenbar einen raffinierten Weg gefunden, um das zu umgehen. Bevor sie sich zum Winterschlaf zurückziehen, nehmen sie zwar massiv zu. Doch anders als bei Menschen mit Diabetes-Risiko zirkulieren in ihrem Blut dann weniger freie Fettsäuren. Ihre Zellen werden empfindlicher für Insulin. Im Winter entwickeln sie zwar auch eine Resistenz dagegen, zu Diabetikern werden sie aber trotzdem nicht. Denn im nächsten Sommer fahren sie die

Empfindlichkeit ihrer Zellen einfach wieder hoch. Auch diesen Trick würden Mediziner sehr gern nachahmen. Doch bisher weiß niemand so genau, wie das funktioniert. Das Gleiche gilt auch für die bärigen Rezepte gegen Osteoporose oder die Folgen einer gedrosselten Nierenfunktion. Auch Raumfahrtspezialisten interessieren sich für die Bären. „Die Europäische Weltraumagentur ESA sieht Bären als vielversprechende Modelltiere, an denen man den Winterschlaf und seine mögliche Übertragung auf den Menschen erforschen kann“, sagt Thomas Ruf. Die weite Reise zum Mars könnten die menschlichen Teilnehmer womöglich am besten überstehen, wenn sie sich unterwegs ebenfalls in eine Art Winterschlaf versetzen lassen. Wie man das in der Praxis bewerkstelligen könnte, ist allerdings unklar. Den Körper bis in die Nähe des Gefrierpunktes abzukühlen, wie es Igel und andere kleine Winterschläfer tun, hält der Wiener Forscher jedenfalls für keine gute Idee. Das sei sehr gefährlich und könne zum Herzstillstand führen. „Wie man an den Bären sieht, ist das aber auch nicht unbedingt nötig“, sagt Thomas Ruf. Denn die großen Raubtiere drosseln zwar ihren Stoffwechsel ebenso massiv wie andere Winterschläfer. Ihre Körpertemperatur aber halten sie dabei auf mehr als 30 Grad. Bis Astronauten auch nur daran denken können, sich das zum Vorbild zu nehmen, wird allerdings noch viel Zeit vergehen.

Vielgeliebtes Schweineschnitzel, wild umstrittenes Hundefleisch Heißt diskutiert wird in den letzten Jahren neben dem Verzehr von Wildtieren auch der von sogenannten Nutztieren und Haustieren.

Charité weist Coronavirus auch bei geringen Symptomen nach Erreger kann übertragen werden, wenn kaum Krankheitszeichen vorliegen. Mit einem Risikomonitor beobachten Forscher zugleich die weltweite Verbreitung

eit Wochen forschen Wissenschaftler intensiv nach den Ansteckungswegen des neuen Coronavirus 2019-nCoV, das sich von China aus in derWelt verbreitet. Nun liefern Forscher der Berliner Charité mit Kollegen anderer Institute neue Erkenntnisse, was die Übertragbarkeit des Virus betrifft. Bei einigen der Patienten wurden infektiöse Viren in Nasen- und Rachenraum gefunden, obwohl sie nur geringe Symptome aufwiesen. Das berichtet die Charité in einer Mitteilung. Das Institut für Virologie der Charité und das Institut

für Mikrobiologie der Bundeswehr unterstützen seit dem Auftreten des ersten deutschen Krankheitsfalls die Diagnostik der neuen Virusinfektion, wie es aus der Charité heißt. Beide Labore überprüften unabhängig voneinander die Virusausscheidungen bei den in der München-Klinik Schwabing betreuten Patienten. Die neuen Beobachtungen seien „deutliche Hinweise für eine Übertragbarkeit des Virus bereits bei milder oder beginnender Erkältungssymptomatik“, schreiben die Virologen. Die Patienten hatten lediglich

Symptome wie Halsschmerzen, Nasennebenhöhlen-Beschwerden und ein leichtes Krankheitsgefühl ohne Fieber. Zugleich hätten die Labore Hinweise gefunden, dass sich das neuartige Virus bei den betroffenen Patienten unabhängig von der Lunge auch im Nasen-Rachen-Raum und imVerdauungstrakt vermehre. Mit einem Risikomonitor verfolgt derweil der Physiker und Komplexitätsforscher Dirk Brockmann von der Humboldt-Universität (HU) Berlin, auf welchenWegen sich dasVirus ausbreitet und welches Risiko be-

steht, dass das Coronavirus von Passagieren nach Deutschland importiert wird. Der Ausgangspunkt dafür ist die Verbreitung des Virus über Flugverbindungen nach Wuhan in China, dem Ursprungsgebiet des Coronavirus. Anhand dieser lasse sich die relative Verteilung des Ansteckungsrisikos weltweit berechnen, heißt es in einer Mitteilung der HU. „Je direkter die Verbindung, desto größer die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Ausbreitung der Infektion.“ Erfasst wurden 4 000 Flughäfen mit mehr als 25 000 Verbindungen.

Aus einer Übersicht geht hervor, dass das „relative Importrisiko“ für Thailand, Japan und Südkorea am höchsten ist. Deutschland steht an 18. Stelle, zwischen Indien und den Arabischen Emiraten. „Für den speziellen Wuhan-Fall ist der Flughafen Charles De Gaulle in Frankreich ein wichtiges Drehkreuz“, sagt Dirk Brockmann, der als Professor am Institut für Biologie der HU komplexe Systeme erforscht. „Daher ist auch das Importrisiko des Virus für Frankreich höher als beispielsweise für Indonesien oder die Philippinen, ob-

wohl sie näher an China gelegen sind“, erklärt Brockmann. Er warnt zugleich davor, die Risiken außerhalb des Kontexts zu sehen. „Risiken werden oft verzerrt wahrgenommen“, sagt er. „Eine normale Grippe klingt nicht so schlimm, aber 2017 gab es in Deutschland 25 000 Grippetote.“ Geringe Risiken würden oft überschätzt, große Risiken unterschätzt. Es sei wichtig, rationale Entscheidungen zu treffen. (BLZ)

Text: Judith Aspöck 4

WIENER JOURNAL

akuumverpackte Schweinefilets oder die Leberkäsesemmel zwischendurch sind für uns alltäglich, aber über das Essen von Hunden in asiatischen Ländern schreit man in unseren Breiten schnell auf. Denn bestimmte Tiere wie Hund, Katze, Meerschweinchen und Co. können uns gar nicht nah genug sein, andere landen jedoch tagtäglich auf unserem Teller. Doch was unterscheidet die Tiere voneinander? Warum ist es für uns unmoralisch, Hunde zu essen, Tiere wie Rinder oder Hühner aber nicht?

Nutz- und Haustiere Dafür ist vor allem unsere Unterscheidung in Nutztiere und Haustiere verantwortlich, welche von klein auf erlernt wird. Dabei werden Nutztiere als Tiere bezeichnet, die dem Menschen entweder durch ihre eigene Arbeitsleistung dienen

25.9.2020

Der Risikomonitor findet sich im Internet unter: rocs.hu-berlin.de/corona

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Alternaria alternata allergens for treatment and prevention of fungal allergy

Erika Jensen-Jarolim

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Sarah Marshall

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Testing the Efficacy of ZENzyme and FUMzyme in the Rumen of Cows

Qendrim Zebeli

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Sabine Brandt

Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism

Untersuchungen zur genetischen Tiergesundheit und Farbgenetik beim Thomas Druml Lipizzaner und Noriker mit Fokus auf Melanom, Vitiligo und Roan